Air cleaner



Aug. 20, 1935. A. 1.. R. BERNAR-D AIR CLEANER Filed Feb. 1, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet l \EQVENTOP- Auqusfz Louis Rrzn Bernard ATTORNEY Aug. 20,1935. A. R. BERNARD 2,011,888

AIR CLEANER Filed Feb. 1, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOP.

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ATTORNEY Patented Au 20, 1935 AIR CLEANER Auguste Louis Ren Bernard,Rueil-Malmaison,

France, asslgnor to Fusion-Moteurs, Rueil- Malmaison, France, a societyof France Application February 1, 1932, Serial No. 590,271 In BelgiumFebruary 17, 1931 11 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for supplyingdust-free air to motors or to other machines.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a method based uponthe action of centrifugal force for creating a zone of separationbetween dust and pure air.

Another object is to provide a motor assembly in which the rotation of afly wheel or other rotating element is utilized for separating air in,or adjacent to, the crank case into a dust-rich and dust-free zone, airbeing supplied to the motor from the latter zone.

A further object is to provide a motor assembly in which a fly wheel orother rotatable element acts to force the dust laden air centrifugallyoutward while the suction of the motor is utilized to aspirate air froma central zone freed of its dust by the centrifugal effect exerted onthe dust laden air.

An additional object is to provide a motor assembly in which the aircoming from the radiator or similar cooling element is hurledcentrifugally outward, pure air being drawn inward at the same time froma dust-free zone by the suction exerted by a pump or by the motoritself. Still further objects will appear in the course of the detaileddescription now to be given with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which: 30 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic axial section through the flywheel and a journal of a motor showing how dust may be separated fromair by the simple expedient of rapidly changing the direction ofmovement of the latter;

35 Figure 2 shows a second possible form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a section, similar to Figure 1 taken through a variant ofthe structure represented in Figure 2;

4 Figure 4 illustrates, in axial section, a fourth possible embodimentof the invention;

Figure 5 is a section taken on line Figure 4.

Figure 6 represents, in axial section, a form of assembly in which thedust laden air is hurled centrifugally outward while dust-free air isdrawn inward from a zone comparatively free of dust; 1 ,z-Figure '7shows, in section, a motor assembly operating similarly to the oneillustrated in Figure 6.

- Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a motor assemblycomposed of the following elements: a fly wheel mounted on the main, oron an auxiliary, shaft of the motor and having a plurality ofventilating or cooling ribs or blades 17 mounted at, or adjacent, theperiphery thereof, the fly wheel coacting with a fixed wall 1 to limit aconduit through which air will be drawn by the rotation of blades 1); anair inlet conduit q connected to a radiator (see Figure 7), said inletconduit delivering its air in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation of the fly-wheel; an annular conduit d positioned partiallyinside conduit q and communicating with the space between fly wheel aand wall f via a plurality of passages e, conduit d communicating bymeans of a conduit system c with the intake manifold or an equivalentsuction system associated with the motor; and a deflector 1 extendinginto the space limited by wall 1 and fly-wheel a, said deflector actingto prevent the passage of dustcontaining air into orifices e.

It will be noted that in the course of passage of the air throughconduit q and outward along the fly-wheel, it traverses an elbow (whichmay be in the form of a circular segment of revolution) on it waytowards blades b. When, therefore, fly wheel 11. rotates, air is drawndownward through conduit q by the aspirating action of blades b and, intraversing the elbow, suddenly changes direction and tends to collect ina zone adjacent the fly wheel surface as represented in Figure 1. Thedust free air moving outward adjacent to wall 1 finds its way viapassages e into annular conduit d by the suction applied to conduit cfrom the motor.

In the variant represented in Figure 2, which shows only a fragment ofthe assembly illustrated in Figure 1, a more perfect separation of dustfrom air is obtained by connecting an annular element g (01' forming thelatter integrally with) blades 1), element g being traversed by aplurality of orifices 71. positioned to sweep past passages e, adeflector 1 being positioned in substantially parallel relation toelement g and serving to more effectively prevent the entrance of dustinto passages h. This form of apparatus, it will be obvious, operatessubstantially in the same manner as the one shown in Figure l, the elbowor curved portion of the fly wheel acting to effect separation of theoutwardly moving air into a dust-rich and a dust-free zone.

The form of assembly shown in Figure 3 is a further development of theinventive principle embodied in the structures illustrated in Figures 1and 2. Here, in order to further insure complete separation of dust andair, an annular chamber is, i having a central annular baflle lpositioned therein, is mounted on, or formed integrally with, blades band annular wall a, orifices 71. being formed in one wall of chamber 10to communicate with passages e. The chamber is intended to be closedperipherally by a detachable ring or wall 9' designed to be locked inposition by any convenient device that may occur to. those skilled inthe art. Inspection of Figure 3 will show that if any dust laden airsucceeds in passing battle r and penetrates into chamber k. 1' viapassage h it will be hurled centrifugally outward into contact withperipheral wall 7' underthe deflecting action of bailie l. Anyv dustcontained therein will then accumulate on the walls of element 7' whichmay be detached and cleaned whenever desired, pmified air being drawninward via passages h and e into conduit d by suction as describedalready.

In the form of assembly shown in Figures '4 and 5 a somewhat differentprinciple, or rather an auxiliary principle is utilized for insuring aperfect separation of dust and air. Fly wheel a, at its elbow portioncontinues to effect a primary separation of the dust from the air, asecondary separation being obtained by placing the air intake orifice onthe posterior surface of blades b relatively to direction of rotation ofthe latter (see the arrow in Figure 5 and the position of air intakeorifices 0). Blades b are provided, as in the case of Figure 2, with anannular wall a positioned adjacent Wall f and are each traversed bypassages or conduits n terminating at one extremity in air inlet orificeo (positioned as already described) and, at their extremities in airdischarge orifices m sweeping past passages e, the latter coacting withconduits c and d of the type shown in Figure 1.

The manner in which this form of the invention operates is obvious fromthe drawings and from the description of the mode of operation of thestructures shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In the variant represented in Figure 6, the air traversing the elbowadjacent fly wheel a traverses a system limited by continuous lateralwalls, the ventilating blades being formed in two portions b and b lyingon opposite sides of one of the lateral walls as shown in the drawing.The air traversing the elbow is again separated into dust rich and dustfree portions as shown in Figure 1 and air for the motor is aspiratedinward toward passages e, lying adjacent the elbow from the dust freezone adjacent blades 17. Inward movement of the air is obtained byutilizing the suction exerted by the motor or by an auxiliary structureor pump connected thereto or coacting therewith. The dust-laden airdischarged centrifugally from blades b tends to move away from the zoneof suction passing through passages e and blades b.

Figure 7 represents a preferred form of the invention utilizing theprinciple shown in Figure 6. Element m is a base bolted or otherwisefastened to the crank case and supporting a journal m in which the crankshaft rotates, element m being traversed by a passage or passages 11.communicating with an air supply duct it through which suction isexerted by the motor.

The fly wheel a is provided with blades 1) supported between the mainbody of the fly wheel a and an annular ring s provided with a flangedportion s machined to fit, with as little play as possible, into anannular orifice in the crank case. Air enters a chamber t in the crankcase assembly from a radiator u and, after traversing an elbow similarto the one shown in Figure 1, is hurled outward pa'st blades b. Toinsure a supply of pure air, a flared sheet metal shell q is supportedby a flange q on the crank case so as to limit a tapering chamber pthrough which air may be drawn from a plurality of ducts o situated onthe side of fly wheel a opposite blades b Ducts 0 should be locatedfurther from the center of the crank shaft than passage 12 and slopedownward towards thelatter. If desired, they may be also positionednon-radially.. The free end of shell q is formed to frictionally contactwith the fly wheel, felt or similar material being mounted at theinterface of contact so as to further isolate the air coming in throughpassage 1) from the air outside shell q undergoing the centrifugaleffect of the fly wheel. From the foregoing it will be seen that the airsupplied from the radiator undergoes an outward course from the exteriorsurface of shell q, while the air for the motor is drawn inward from apoint situated in a zone central with relation to the dust laden airundergoing centrifugal action. Shell q should taper downward from pointsadjacent ducts o to points adjacent passages'n.

Instead of being bolted to the crank case as at q, it may be bolted atits other extremity to the fly wheel, the crankcase extremity being themade mobile.

The invention is particularly adapted to motors in which the fly wheelis already provided with blades for assuring the passage of cooling airthrough a radiator system. Fly wheels of this type are shown in thestructures represented in Figures 1 to 5. In the form of assembliesillustrated in Figures 6 and '7, blades 1) must be provided foraccomplishing a similar function.

The form of assembly shown in Figure '7 is particularly adapted tomotors in which the fly wheel functions as an air turbine to create adepression at the base of a cooling system (radiator or condenser).

It is to be understood that in each of the forms of the inventiondescribed, the aspirated air may be deflected by proper baflies (notshown) or by a conduit system which will bring it in contact with thelubricating oil in the crank case, whereby whatever impurities remaintherein may be transferred to the oil.

The invention not only permits an effective separation of dust from airbut accomplishes this resultwith a minimum of braking action on the airbeing aspirated.

The invention is not to be taken as limited to any particular structureshown in the various figures of the drawings. Thus the flow of purifiedair into conduit d may be effected by centrifugal action, as in Figure1, or by suction, as represented in various of the other figures of thedrawings or by both of these actions.

What I claim is:

1. In a motor, a rotatable element, a fixed wall positioned in spacedrelation to said rotatable element and coacting therewith to form an airconduit, said fixed wall having a pair of openings formed therein,positioned at different distances from the axis of rotation of saidrotatable element, conduit means for supplying air to one of saidopenings, and independent conduit means positioned to receive air fromthe second of said openings.

2. In a motor, a rotatable element, a fixed wall positioned in spacedrelation to said rotatable element and coacting therewith to form an airconduit, said fixed wall having a pair of openings formed thereinpositioned at diflferent distances from the axis of rotation of saidrotatable fitment, an air supply conduit connected to the opening nearerthe axis of rotation of said rotatable element, and an air dischargeconduit connected to the opening further from the axis of rotation ofsaid rotatable element.

3. In a motor, a rotatable element, a wall positioned in spaced relationto said rotatable element and 'coacting therewith to form an airconduit, said wall having a pair of openings formed therein positionedat different distances from the axis of rotation of said rotatableelement, an air inlet conduit connected to the opening which is furtherfrom the axis of rotation of said ro- 'tatable element, and an airoutlet conduit connected to the opening which is the nearer to said axisof rotation.

4. In a motor, a rotatable element, a wall positioned in spaced relationto said rotatable element and mounted to rotate therewith, said wallhaving an opening therethrough and coacting with said rotatable elementto form an air conduit, a fixed wall positioned in spaced relation tosaid first named wall and having an opening formed therein positioned tocommunicate with the opening in said first named wall, conduit means forintroducing air into the space between said rotatable element and saidfirst named wall, and conduit means coacting with the opening in saidfixed wall and operating to draw oif air.

5. In a motor, a rotatable element, a plurality of blades mounted onsaid rotatable element, said blades having passages formed therethroughterminating at one extremity at the lateral portion of the blade and attheir other extremities on the posterior surface of the latterrelatively to their normal direction of rotation, and conduit meanspositioned to communicate with the extremity of said passages situatedon the lateral portion of said blade.

6. In a motor, a rotatable element having a passage formed therethrough,a fixed wall having a passage formed therethrough, a shell extendingbetween said rotatable element and said fixed wall, said shell limitinga chamber extending between the passages in said rotatable element andin said fixed wall, a plurality of blades mounted on said rotatableelement exteriorly with relation to said shell, conduit means forsupplying air to the space adjacent the exterior of said shell, andmeans for drawing oil? air through the pasage in said fixed wall.

7. In a motor, a rotatable element having a passage formed therethrough,a fixed wall having a passage formed therethrough, said last namedpassage being positioned at a lesser distance from the axis of rotationof said rotatable element than the passage through the said rotatableelement, a shell extending between said rotatable element and said fixedwall, said shell limiting a chamber extending between the passages insaid rotatable element and in said fixed wall, a plurality of bladesmounted on said rotatable element exteriorly with relation to saidshell, conduit means for supplying air to the space adjacent theexterior of said shell, and means for drawing oi! air through thepassage in said fixed wall.

8. In a motor, a rotatable element, a wall positioned in spaced relationto said rotatable element and mounted to rotate therewith and having anopening therein, said wall co-acting with said rotatable element tolimit an air conduit, a fixed wall positioned in spaced relation to saidfirst named wall and having an opening formed therein, means forsupplying air into the space between said rotatable element and saidfirst named wall, means for conducting ofi air entering the openi insaid fixed wall, and a chamber mounted to rotate with said first namedwall, said chamber having a battle mounted therein and having openingsformed in the wall thereof permitting the flow of air from the openingin said first named wall into the openings in said fixed wall.

9. In a motor, a rotatable element, a wall positioned in spaced relationto said rotatable element and mounted to rotate therewith and having anopening therein, said wall co-acting with said rotatable element tolimit an air conduit, 9. fixed wall positioned in spaced relation to thefirst named wall and having an opening formed therein, means forsupplying air into the space between said rotatable element and saidfirst named wall, means for conducting ofi air entering the opening insaid fixed wall, a chamber mounted to rotate with the said first namedwall and interposed between the latter and said fixed wall, said chamberhaving a detachable peripheral wall, said chamber having openings formedtherein permitting the flow of air from the opening in said first namedwall into the opening in said fixed wall, and a baiile mounted in saidchamber between said openings.

10. In a motor, a fly wheel adapted to be rotated by the motor andhaving a passage formed therethrough, a fixed wall having a passageformed therethrough, said last named passage being positioned ata lesserdistance from the axis of rotation of said fiy wheel than the passagethrough said fiy wheel, a shell extending between said rotatable elementand said fixed wall, said shell limiting a chamber extending between thepassages in said rotatable element and in said fixed wall, and means fordrawing of! air through the passage in said fixed wall.

11. In combination with a motor having an intake manifold, a rotatableelement comprising a circular wall, a fixed wall positioned in spacedrelation to said circular wall and coacting therewith to form an airconduit, said fixed wall having an opening towards the center of saidcircular wall, said opening communicating with said intake manifold,blades fixed on said circular wall having their free edge in thevicinity of the portion of said fixed wall situated around said opening,said blades and fixed wall limiting tree spaces communicating freelywith the atmosphere at their outer end, said motor drawing air throughsaid intake manifold, said opening and the tree spaces between saidblades.

AUGUSTE LOUIS RENE BERNARD

